An App a Day - Andrew
Lansley launches a call for ideas for new health apps and maps
Health Secretary
Andrew Lansley today launched a call for new ideas for health apps
that would help patients make informed decisions about their care.
Everyone, including patients, doctors, nurses and other health
professionals and app developers, is invited to submit new ideas
of health apps and online maps they think would be useful. One
leading example of an app that benefits patients is Choosing
Well, developed by NHS Yorkshire & Humber for their
local community, which allows people to search for their nearest
NHS health services.
As part of this drive for ideas, Andrew Lansley has also asked
people to come forward and name their favourite existing health applications.
Speaking to patients, doctors and nurses at Evelina Children’s
Hospital in London today, Andrew Lansley said:
“We want to give people better access to information that will
put them in control of their health and help make informed choices
about their healthcare.
“Over the next six weeks, we want to hear from patients, health
professionals and budding app developers on their ideal new app.
This is a unique opportunity for the NHS and those who develop
apps to not only showcase their work but bring to life new ideas
and realise true innovation in healthcare.”
Mr Lansley also announced the panel of judges who would choose
the best apps to be showcased at an event in autumn:
“I’m pleased to have such influential panel members representing
the NHS, patients and clinicians as well as technology and those
who support entrepreneurs. Innovation is what will help us create
a more modern and personalised NHS for patients.”
The panel of judges includes:
Dr Shaibal Roy, a doctor at the National Institute for Health
Research who champions the use of digital technology in
healthcare;Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director and supporter of
helping patients get access to transparent information about
hospitals and their health;Julie Meyer, online Dragon’s Den judge,
nurturer of talent and CEO of Ariadne Capital; and Jennie
Ritchie-Campbell, Director of Cancer Services Innovation at
charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
Dr Shaibal Roy, doctor at the National Institute for Health
Research, said:
"I'm proud to be part of this call for ideas
from patients, their families, the public and frontline health
care professionals. Useful and easy to use smartphone apps and
information maps will surely support both patients and clinicians
in their shared decisions to improve outcomes.
“I hope this work will help the NHS understand completely new
ways to help improve outcomes for individuals and their families.
There are inspiring apps and incredible ideas that have never
before been gathered and shared nationally. We hope to accomplish
this quickly, and in doing so, build a community of champions to
explore this particular view of the future."
Dr Ian Abbs, Medical Director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS
Foundation Trust, which Evelina Children’s Hospital is a part of,
said:
"Our staff are already realising the benefits of medical
apps and have developed a number of these which are proving
popular with the medical community.
“Some of our apps are already European best sellers, and provide
instant access to the most up-to-date guidance on topics including
patient safety, thrombosis and paediatric drug calculations – all
at the touch of a button.
“The possibility of apps helping to improve patient care is
enormous and we are already seeing examples of their success in,
for example, emergency situations, where clinicians can now
quickly and accurately double check complex drug dose
calculations.”
The Health Secretary tested out a number of existing health apps
along with patients, clinicians and panel members, including one
developed by NHS Southampton, which gives practical support to
clinicians when treating patients with infections and a
Breakthrough Breast Cancer iBreastCheck app whose simple
informative guide helps women check for breast abnormalities.
For the next six weeks, people can visit www.mapsandapps.dh.gov.uk
and suggest favourite apps, ideas for apps or health maps they
would like to see, as well as vote for their favourite ideas
submitted by others.
Notes to Editors
For media enquiries, and examples of exsiting apps please
contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.Please
go to www.mapsandapps.dh.gov.uk to put forward your ideas or vote
for your favourite app.Follow progress on Twitter @dhgovukChoosing
Well app from NHS Yorkshire and Humber, gives addresses of the
nearest NHS services:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-yorkshire-and-humberside/id417712580?mt=8Paediatric
Emergency Drugs app developed by Evelina Children’s Hospital helps
calculate correct medicine dosage:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/paediatric-emergency-drugs/id415663345?mt=8iBreastCheck,
Breakthrough Breast Cancer - gives information about checking
breasts for abnormalities:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ibreastcheck/id391746205?mt=8MicroGuide,
NHS Southampton – gives practical support to clinicians when
treating patients with infections:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microguide/id447171786?mt=8The call
for ideas, suggestions and votes for apps or health maps come
under one of these five themes: Personalisation and Choice of Care
and Support- for example, an app that allows a user to search for
health information onlineBetter Health and Care Outcomes- for
example, an app that allows a patient to manage their health
conditionAutonomy and Accountability- for example, an app that
allows patients to publicly rate and review their local health
servicesImproving Public Health- for example, an app that tracks
an individual’s levels of exerciseImproving Long-Term Care and
Support- for example, an app that helps with planning long-term
care and support
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk